Patricia Urquiola
THE INDUSTRIAL DESIGNER
best known as one of the most prolific and influential figures in contemporary design.
One word to describe the work of Spanish architect and designer Patricia Urquiola might be ‘joy’. Although every work feels completely its own, Urquiola always manages to eek in an upbeat sense of play that keeps her oeuvre coherent. She has run her own studio since 2001 — what she calls her “turning point” — and became art director at Cassina in 2015. This year so far, Urquiola has launched new works with such prestigious brands as CC Tapis, Louis Vuitton, Moroso and Swarovski. As a woman at the top of the industry, the designer wants to encourage others to follow suit. “Women must have the will to continue studying and taking risks with private practice,” she says. The future of design, she believes, depends on how it reflects our habits. “Things change, and so does our way of dealing with everyday needs, such as sitting down. With the digital revolution, we must rethink the house and the office. We need to enter the civilisation of information with furniture.”
“Women must have THE WILL to continue studying and RISKING with private practice” patricia urquiola